For an entry level machine, the Fisher F2 Metal Detector gets respectable depth.

Fisher F2 Depth Display

There is a depth meter on the right side of the screen. In my experience, each bar equals 3 inches. So, two bars would be a 6 inch deep target, 3 bars would be a 9 inch target. In the field this usually rings true and makes for fast target recovery since it tells you just how deep to dig!

The user manual states that each bar on the depth meter equals 2 inches of depth, but as I said, My personal experience has been that each bar is actually equal to 3 inches of depth in my soil.

While on the subject of depth on the F2, I wanted to address a couple of common misconceptions.

One specific myth that I keep seeing pertaining to the Fisher F2 is that if the depth bar jumps while swinging over the target, then it is junk and you can just move on to the next target. Really? I have a hard time believing that. Too many factors come into play when you see that depth bar jump.

What if a nail is 4 inches deep and a dime is 6 inches deep. Would that not confuse the detector on the actual target depth? Isn’t the processor then trying to process two different targets in the same hole and now being confused?

What if there is a target just off to the side of the target that you are trying to pinpoint that is confusing the detectors depth reading? Remember, the processor is only giving you it’s best “guess’ as to what a target is, or how deep it is. So do you really want to rely on a depth meter discrepancy being what makes you pass up a potentially good target?

Another factor that comes into play is, “How level are you holding your coil when you swing over the jumpy depth target?” Are you lifting the coil at the outside of your swing causing the depth meter to jump? Are you keeping the coil completely level while trying to pinpoint the target? All of these factors will cause your depth bar to fluctuate. None of these examples mean that the target is no longer worth digging!

All it means is that something else is factoring into the equation, whether it be multiple targets in the same hole, or a target nearby interfering with the target that you are trying to pinpoint. Likewise, the angle of your swing, or the arch in your swing can cause the depth meter to jump, but that doesn’t mean that you can go ahead and pass up that target!

NO DETECTOR can tell you with 100% accuracy what the target is in the ground.

If you have adapted the strategy that you can tell what a target is before you dig with 100% accuracy, you sir are WRONG! The processor gives you it’s best guess at what a target may be, and your experience gives you another level of processing what YOUR best guess is, but in the end it is still just a GUESS!

Until you dig that target, you do not KNOW what the target is!

Another misconception is that “If you raise your coil 6-8inches off the ground and still get a signal, you can pass the target up, it’s just a can or large target.” NOT ALWAYS TRUE! On multiple occasions I have gotten a strong signal when lifting my coil off of the ground and was led to believe that I had a large target.

Being that I am a dig it all type of digger, I have tested this theory, guess what I found out? It is merely a Theory! One time I thought I had a large can, but being the type of hunter I am, I decided to dig the target anyway. Guess what it was? A can? Large Iron? NOPE! It was not one, but TWO coins! A presidential dollar and a quarter close to each other, about 3 inches deep. That is what gave me the strong signal when I lifted the coil off of the ground. Had I walked past that “large item” I would have missed out on my first dollar coin!

Another time, Same thing, I had a large item in the ground, verified by the fact that I lifted my coil 6 inches off the ground and still got a strong signal. Since I wasn’t finding much in that park, I dug the large item in an effort to get it out of my way for future hunts. So, do you think it was another aluminum can or iron? You guessed it, NOPE! What I found was 5 quarters all within 3-4 inches deep in about an 8 inch area! A 5 quarter coin spill! The most coins I’ve ever dug in one hole!

5 Coin Pocket Spill

Had I listened to these misconceptions, in both instances I would have missed out on a First for me!

The Fisher F2 metal detector may not be the deepest machine available, but it is certainly deep enough to reach most targets. I have personally dig a quarter at 8 inches with the F2, so it does have a respectable detecting depth. If you think about it, just how deep do you want to dig anyway? 🙂

It IS good to learn from others, after all, all greats learn from those that come before them. However, in this context it is also a good idea to learn from multiple sources and sometimes challenge the common theories and formulate your own theories.

Learn the benchmarks of the hobby, learn something every time you go detecting, and then, Set your Own Benchmarks.

Start finding the good stuff!

Order Your Fisher F2 Today!